2012 Nissan Xterra: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2012 Nissan Xterra: 2 recalls, 16 owner complaints and up to 18 mpg combined.
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Recalls
2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #11V592000 · 2011 · 14,718 vehicles
What's wrong: Some of the bolts that connect the engine oil cooler and the engine oil filter to the engine in these vehicles May have been manufactured to below specification strength. As a result, the bolt May break at the oil filter attachment point and can cause an engine oil leak.
Why it matters: If there is an engine oil leak, the engine oil pressure would drop and the engine could seize, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the connector bolts free of charge. The safety recall began on January 30, 2012.
Suspension Vehicle recall #12V462000 · 2012 · 2,417 vehicles
What's wrong: These vehicles May have been equipped with front wheel hubs that May not meet the design hardness specifications. A wheel hub that was manufactured below hardness specification May wear prematurely and eventually crack.
Why it matters: If the vehicle is driven in this condition, the wheel hub May break, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replaced the left and right side front wheel hub assemblies free of charge. The safety recall began on October 22, 2012.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 0 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Transmission & drivetrain (6): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (2).
- Engine (4): the most common themes are leaks (2).
- Airbags (4): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Other / unknown (1): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 2012 Nissan Xterra has 16 owner complaints, ranking #13 of 16 Xterra model years for complaints (well below the 194 average). Complaints peaked in 2013 (3 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 4 years old, at a median of 4,291 miles. Neighboring years: 2011 (24 complaints, 2 recalls), 2013 (4 complaints, 0 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 22 | 18 | Regular |
| 4.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 15 | 20 | 17 | Regular |
| 4.0 L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 16 | 20 | 17 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2012 Nissan Xterra.
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FAQ
Does the 2012 Nissan Xterra have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 2012 Nissan Xterra. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2012 Nissan Xterra problems?
Owners have filed 16 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are transmission & drivetrain (6), engine (4), airbags (4).
What gas mileage does the 2012 Nissan Xterra get?
EPA ratings run up to 18 mpg combined (4.0 L, Automatic 5-spd), across 3 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2012 Nissan Xterra repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.